Privately provided weight loss injections
We have received a high volume of queries regarding private prescribing of weight loss injections such as Wegovy and Mounjaro. General Practice is under extreme pressure and cannot take on unfunded, non-contractual work for Non-NHS providers. Here is what you need to know…
Responsibility for Prescribing
- The clinical responsibility for prescribing is with the private 3rd party provider
- When a private provider asks us to review your notes, it implies that our practice would take responsibility for prescriptions initiated by other organisations. This does not happen.
Regulations and Safety
- According to GMC regulations, it is the responsibility of the prescribing clinician to ensure their prescribing is safe. This includes:
- Taking an adequate history.
- Examining the patient.
- Conducting and acting on any appropriate pre-prescribing investigations.
- NICE guidelines require an examination of the patient, including accurate weight measurement at initial assessment and regular reviews.
Access to Medical Records
- Patients can obtain all the medical information they are required to provide via the NHS app.
Our Policy
- We direct third-party private prescribers back to their patients.
- We direct patients to share their medical record via the NHS App
- We cannot take responsibility or get involved in third-party prescribing, which remains the clinical responsibility of the prescribing clinician.
- On notification of a prescription start we will send an accurx to patients on the contraceptive pill and HRT. Outlining the risks of this medication impacting the effectiveness of your hormone treatment. This should however already been outlined by the private prescriber.
Possible impact of weight loss medications on hormone treatment
Please be reminded it is your responsibility to inform your provider if you are taking contraceptive pill or Oral HRT medication
Patients taking the contraceptive pill
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) Medication may stop your contraception pills do not work effectively. If you are using the contraceptive pill, please use condoms for four weeks after each dose change, to avoid an unwanted pregnancy.
**This does not apply to Semaglutide (Ozempic)**
Patients prescribed oral combined HRT or oral progesterone
If you are currently taking Medroxyprogesterone / Norethisterone / Utrogestan) oral tablets in combination with oestrogen patch / spray / gel wight loss injections may impact the effectiveness of your HRT to adequately protect your endometrium (womb lining).
We recommend you discuss HRT medication with a GP before commencing any dose changes.